| Falcons Intelligence Cell خلية الصقور الاستخبارية العراقية | |
|---|---|
 Official logo of the Falcons Intelligence Cell | |
| Common name | Falcons |
| Abbreviation | FIC |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 8 February 2006 |
| Preceding agencies |
|
| Employees | Classified |
| Annual budget | Classified |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency (Operations jurisdiction) | IQ |
| Operations jurisdiction | IQ |
| Legal jurisdiction | Republic of Iraq |
| Governing body | Ministry of Interior |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Elected officers responsible |
|
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency (Iraq) |
| Units | Operational divisions
|
| Website | |
| Official website | |
TheFalcons Intelligence Cell of Iraq (FIC) (Arabic: خلية الصقور الاستخبارية) is a military intelligence unit with law-enforcement officers, intelligence officers, and others in specializedintelligence capacities. The Falcons Intelligence Cell has been dubbed "the most dangerous spy network" in Iraq and is trained by theCIA and theMI6, and have carried out hundreds of successful operations against militants, rivaling other Iraqi intelligence services in Iraq in terms of scope and prowess.[1][2][3]
Officials stated that the Falcons are responsible for foiling hundreds of attacks on important cities in Iraq during theWar in Iraq (2013-2017)[4]
In 2006, the intelligence unit was created with the mission of eliminating leaders of hostile groups. The unit was named "Al-Suquor", or "The Falcons."[4] The unit is most known for operations involving CaptainHarith al-Sudani, in which Falcons foiled around 30 car-bomb attacks onBaghdad.[5][4][6] The Falcons were praised by U.S. services for infiltrating ISIS cells, killing or arresting leaders and members, preventing attacks and destroying weapons.[3] According toThe New York Times, the Iraqi counter-terrorism intelligence unit "May be the most important organization on the front lines of the war on terrorism that almost no one has heard of."[4]
The Falcons counter-terrorism operations typically involved CaptainHarith al-Sudani infiltrating ISIS during the War in Iraq 2013-2017, driving ISIS'scar bombs to important cities, letting the Falcon bomb disposal team dismantle the bombs and replacing them with pyrotechnic devices, and then dropping the car at the target point. There, Falcons would create a fake car bombing, including Falcons agents posing as victims, and photos and fake security briefs sent to news organizations.[4][3] Captain Al-Sudani would then be picked up by ISIS agents and return with them, continuing his infiltration mission.
Al-Sudani was described as "Iraq’s most successful spy"[3] while operating within the Falcons unit.[3]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| Military | |
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